Sound Bite: Don’t work, be hated and love someone.

“Your life is over as of today. At this point in time, you have grown as tall as you will ever be, you are physically the fittest you will ever be in your entire life and you are probably looking the best that you will ever look. This is as good as it gets. It is all downhill from here. Or up. No one knows. What does this mean for you? It is good that your life is over.

Since your life is over, you are free.”

- Author Adrian Tan in his speech as guest-of-honor at a recent college graduation in Singapore. Read on for his witty and fabulous take on how to live your life freely: don’t work, be hated and love someone.

Houston Press: 50 reasons Texas is the best state in America

“40. Willie Nelson. Beloved by the most stonered Austin dreamer to the most rigid born-again Baptist, and no one bats an eye when he racks up another weed arrest.

38. Friday Night Lights. Not the book, movie or show — the real thing. High school football in small-town Texas is something everyone should experience at least once.

26. If there’s an ethnic food that’s not available in Houston, it involves a very, very small ethnicity.

11. Houston took rap and made it its own and gave it to the rest of you. You’re welcome.

1. Texans are so damn charming when they brag about their state. (Um, aren’t we?)”

- Richard Connelly in a Houston Press blog post / Gawker rebuttal. Check it.

CultureMap: Sizing up "American Idol" Season 11

If you’re not watching “American Idol” this year, you’re missing out on one of the most memorable seasons in “Idol” history. Why?

“My favorite seasons don’t just present us with potential recording artists; they take raw talent and cultivate it. They tell stories with artistic arcs. They create journeys. And that’s why I love this season.

Week after week, we’ve seen the contestants earnestly build their identities like puzzles, despite the meandering “constructive criticism” from the judges. We’ve seen them wrestle through emotions, intertwine personality and vision, and take creative risks. There’s real momentum driving this season — the kind that both captivates you and keeps you guessing.”

You can read my full thoughts on this season in my latest post for CultureMap, and find all of my “Idol” coverage here. And, seriously, watch this:

The return of Ron Burgundy

Yes, yes, yes:

Houston magazine: Cool beans

Earlier this year, I got to meet the super cool dudes of The Beans, who entertained me with their bro-banter and laid-back passion for music. You can read my profile of the local band in the March issue of Houston magazine – its 7th anniversary issue. It’s hard to believe I held my first journalism internship at the magazine nearly six years ago…

Pinterest: Texas Exes

Throw those horns up, y'all.

Ian Britt, "The Shape of Us"

Grammy Awards 2012 and other assorted thoughts

Last night’s Grammy Awards were a little bit here and a little bit there  - with a “little bit o’ snot” thrown in. We did our annual picks and predictions post over at Country Universe as well as live blogged the somewhat sleepy show. The bad news? Lady Antebellum’s ridiculous repeat in the Best Country Album category. The good news? When Adele wins, we all win, folks.

In other news, it’s almost March, and that’s insane. Before spring hits…

Listen to this:

Read this:

Support this:

Watch this:

Get excited for this…

And remember this: 

“Long live Amy Winehouse. Long live Whitney Houston. Long live Etta James. There’s a beautiful girl group in heaven.”

— Mitch Winehouse

Sound Bite: "Bachelor" love child

“Rafael Nadal and I had a love child. And he’s now looking for love on ABC. We both wish him the best.”

-Josh Groban on the ridiculously boring new “Bachelor,” Ben Flajnik.

Nashville Scene’s 12th annual Country Music Critics’ Poll

The excitement doesn’t wear off of after year one: I’m pumped to be a part of Nashville Scene’s annual Country Music Critics’ Poll again, published this week. The poll includes 77 writers and journalists from all over North America, all of whom share in the trials and rewards of covering country music. Check out all of the coverage below.

In a year ruled by Miranda Lambert and her Pistol Annies, Eric Church and Hayes Carll, country music returns to taking itself a little less seriously

Poll Results

Critics’ Comments

Selected Factoids